The Call of Jesus

Jesus calls his twelve disciples and sends them into the harvest.  He makes them his “apostles,” his messengers and fellow-workers....  The only bond of unity between the twelve is their choice and call.  Simon the Rock-man, Matthew the publican, Simon the Zealot, the champion of law and justice against the oppression of the Gentiles, John the beloved disciple, who lay on Jesus’ breast, and the others, of whom we know nothing except their names, then lastly Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.  No power in the world could have united these men for a common task, save the call of Jesus.  But that call transcended all their previous divisions, and established a new and steadfast fellowship in Jesus....

[The] disciples are given to understand that when they enter into a house, they do not enter in vain.  They bring with them an incomparable gift.  It is a law of the kingdom of God that every man shall participate in the gift which he willingly receives as a gift from God.  The man who receives a prophet and knows what he is doing will participate in the prophet’s cause, his gift and his reward.  He who receives a righteous man will receive the reward of a righteous man, for he has become a partner in his righteousness.  He who offers a cup of cold water to the weakest and poorest who bears no honourable name has ministered to Christ himself, and Jesus Christ will be his reward.

– from The Cost of Discipleship (1937), Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906–1945)